Marcello: Arianna [Box set]

Benedetto Marcello (Composer), Filippo Maria Bressan (Conductor), Academia de li Musici (Orchestra), Antonio Abete (Performer), Gloria Banditelli (Performer), Sergio Foresti (Performer), Mirko Guadagnini (Performer), Anna Chierichetti (Performer), Athestis Chorus (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Antonio Abete, Gloria Banditelli, Sergio Foresti, Mirko Guadagnini, Anna Chierichetti, et al.
• Orchestra: Academia de li Musici
• Conductor: Filippo Maria Bressan
• Composer: Benedetto Marcello
• Audio CD (July 25, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B00004TD4Z
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #472,000 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In his satirical introduction to The Beggars' Opera of 1728, John Gay claims that he "introduced the similes that are in your celebrated operas: the Swallow, the Moth, the Bee, the Ship, the Flower...and I have observed such nice impartiality to our two ladies that it is impossible for either of them to take offence." He might equally well have been referring to Marcello's charming Arianna (1726), which does indeed employ the usual Metastasian similes in the arias, and has two plum female roles for Arianna and her sister, Fedra (Phaedra). But--as with many things--it ain't what you do, it's the way you do it, and Arianna rings the changes in highly enjoyable ways. The plot brings Teseo (Theseus) and Arianna back together to fight over his betrayal, for example, and even by the end, no one has left Naxos. Some of the music is formulaic (especially the "trumpets and drums" choruses), but much of it is beautiful, and one aria ("Come mai puoi vedermi piàngere?") is absolutely ravishing. The performers all have young, fresh voices, and though the recitatives are a little underpowered dramatically, the arias carry the energy of the piece. --Warwick Thompson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unexpected delight!, May 20, 2006

By 

Ingrid Heyn "No man is an Iland, intire of it... (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marcello: Arianna (Audio CD)

The intimate cast - (this "play for music" is for five voices only) - gives this work a sense of cohesion and warmth beautifully embellished by the fine arias and nicely worked recitatives. Like most operas of this period (early 1700s), "Arianna" does not include many ensemble pieces. There is only one duet and the occasional chorus - the majority of the work consists of one glorious aria following another. It's anything but boring, however. The music is very fine indeed, and this performance is lovely.

Of the performers, only Gloria Banditelli is likely to be previously known to listeners. The standard is, however, uniformly high. I enjoyed this recording immensely.

It's a world premiere recording - it always gives me a feeling of especial excitement when I hear something that has been recorded for the first time and left unperformed for centuries. It's like unearthing a great treasure.

The instrumental playing is also delightful - Academia de li Musici do a wonderful job of imparting a charming sense of liveliness and quite lovely lyricism with the music.

Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterful opera from Handel's friend, May 2, 2011

By 

Mr. Geoffrey Lehmann - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marcello: Arianna (Audio CD)

Benedetto Marcello was born in 1686, the year following the momentous birth year for J. S Bach, Handel and Domenico Scarlatti. I became interested in him because an article by a friend (Graham Pont) who is a Handel expert referred to Marcello's friendship with the young Handel when he was in Italy. Marcello was from the aristocracy, so that he was considered an "amateur" musician. But he is far better than many of the highly regarded professional musicians of his era. I was surprised by his extensive and varied discography and just how good his music is. His harpsichord works, church music and chamber music are equally outstanding. So is this opera. Some of the arias are reminiscent of Vivaldi (born 1678) and others sound like Handel (one cannot use the word reminiscent in this instance as Marcello and Handel were contemporaries - who influenced whom?). This is an opera with a succession of delightful arias, expertly performed and by a composer who deserves to be much better known.